BW INSIGHTS

New EEOC Guidance on Vaccinations

By Danielle Smid | 06.21.2021
As Americans continue to be vaccinated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to CDC recommendations, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its COVID-19 guidance on May 28, 2021, regarding employers and COVID-19 vaccines. The new EEC guidance on vaccinations update is in the form of Q&As relating to mandatory... Read More

OSHA Issues New Standards for Healthcare Employers and Updated its Guidance for Non-Healthcare Employers Regarding COVID-19

By Danielle Smid | 06.13.2021
On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health and Administration (OSHA) issued new standards for healthcare employers and updated its guidance for non-healthcare employers regarding COVID-19. For non-healthcare employers, the updated guidance relies on and is consistent with the CDC’s recent recommendations that fully vaccinated people may... Read More

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

By Danielle Smid | 08.27.2020
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are vital to the success of every business. Diversity and inclusion is a company’s mission, strategies, and practices to support a diverse workplace where individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life are able to participate and contribute comfortably and equally. Successful implementation will improve... Read More

COVID-19 As We Enter May: What Should Employers Be Thinking About?

By Danielle Smid | 05.04.2020
While legal considerations will vary by business priorities, practicalities, and industry, we have seen several recurring topics on employers’ minds as we begin a new month in this coronavirus pandemic. Below, I’ve outlined a quick list of topics to make sure your company is on top of: Leave requirements under Families First Coronavirus Response... Read More

Small Business Exemption to FFCRA

By Danielle Smid | 03.31.2020
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) contains a potential exemption for certain small employers who cannot afford to provide the childcare-related paid leave requirements under the FFCRA. Although we are still waiting on the official regulations to be issued by the DOL, there has been additional guidance issued by the DOL in the... Read More

Option for Avoiding Total Layoffs During COVID-19

By Danielle Smid | 03.18.2020
This is not a new program but has new features to assist employers in trying to avoid layoffs. Iowa Workforce Development describes its “Voluntary Shared Work Program Unemployment Insurance Benefits” (VSW) below: “The program is intended for use as an alternative to layoffs and can be an effective tool for Iowa businesses experiencing a temporary... Read More

Employer Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Impact on Unemployment Benefits in Iowa

By Danielle Smid | 03.18.2020
Do employees need to exhaust all vacation, sick leave, or personal time off (PTO) time prior to claiming unemployment benefits? Yes. If an employer offers vacation, sick leave, or PTO time to employees, the employees must exhaust those benefits prior to claiming unemployment benefits. Are employers required to lay off employees in order for the... Read More

Mobile Technology

By Danielle Smid | 11.17.2017
Mobile technology continues to become more and more a part of our daily lives. While experts debate what this means in the context of personal lives and family lives, there’s no question it also introduces some unique issues to the workplace. Employers should consider potential legal implications of technology in the workplace with respect to... Read More

DOL to Extend Minimum Wage & Overtime to More Home Health Care Workers

By Danielle Smid | 12.03.2013
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule on September 17, 2013 that extends the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to most home health care workers. Effective January 1, 2015, the “companionship” exemption of the FLSA will be narrowed, extending minimum wage and overtime protections to... Read More

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